Further opportunities for JDL and "pre-ECNL/NPL" teams!

TSC Hurricane brings ECNL/NPL clubs as new partners to the JDL and pre-ECNL/NPL events.

Sporting Blue Valley (ECNL & NPL), TSC Hurricane (ECNL & NPL) and Springfield SC (NPL) have announced an innovative joint partnership that will create additional development matches for “pre-ECNL/NPL” age groups. The clubs will set some

home and away series beginning this Fall to compliment their existing in-house development leagues and help better prepare teams for eventual ECNL or NPL-level competition.

“We are extremely excited about this opportunity to build the right developmental experience for our kids. This avenue will help the players be more prepared for the challenges that they will face once in the NPL and beyond. We couldn’t be more happy with working alongside TSCH and Sporting KC in developing such a great league,” Eric Sorlie, Springfield Director of Operations.

The clubs will be scheduling home and away friendlies as well as leveraging each club’s existing tournament events such as the Midwest Mother’s Day Classic (May in KC), Lexus Tulsa Cup (April in Tulsa) or the Springfield Fall Classic (Oct in Springfield) to create some enhanced development situations for the players.The clubs may be exploring some different formats such as 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9 as endorsed by each club and the US Soccer Player Development Curriculum recommendations.

”After establishing partnerships with WSA, Norman, Dallas Sting and Liverpool (Dallas), adding these neighboring regional ECNL/NPL clubs represents an opportunity for us to further serve our kids in our Junior Development Program.We are very excited to partner with Sporting BV and Springfield SC in this venture,” says Matt Howe, TSC Hurricane Juniors Director.

The clubs are currently working on scheduling play dates with the first weekend expected to be in Tulsa on August 25-26.

"We feel that this Junior Developmental League partnership with TSC Hurricane and Springfield SC will lead to greater developmental opportunities for our younger players while providing competitive games against teams that we don’t often have the chance to play," Tom Mura, Sporting BV Director and Sporting Blue Valley U8-U12 Technical Staff

FAQ

WHAT IS THE JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (JDL)?

The JDL is a series of developmental matches for boys and girls in the U10-12 age groups (with potential to expand to other ages) comprised of teams from select clubs in this region that are ECNL and/or NPL clubs.The JDL will use a variety of formats that are endorsed by the US Soccer Curriculum.Clubs must meet certain criteria before being considered to join the JDL. The JDL partnership will initially include:

Sporting Blue Valley (KS)

TSC Hurricane (OK)

Springfield SC (MO)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

The purpose of the league is developmental while providing more “meaningful” games for players and prepares them for higher levels of competition and development. Emphasis is placed on "learning" ahead of "achieving" but in a more competitive environment than they may expect from local leagues.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Each JDL club is expected to include teams in the various age groups. JDL will only accept clubs!The league does NOT accept individual teams or “collection of teams.”More information on how a club can apply to be a JDL member is below.

HOW DOES IT WORK IF MY TEAM IS FROM A DIFFERENT CLUB?

Clubs that are members of the JDL have been selected based on their high standards for player development, ECNL/NPL membership status, club structure and staff, club philosophy and vision, administrative capabilities and facilities.Therefore, individual teams are not accepted into the JDL.Your team would need to be a member of one of the official clubs to participate.Each club is expected to fill all age groups with teams.

WHAT ARE FEES?

There are NO additional “league” fees for the teams to participate in the JDL.Each respective home team/club will cover their referee and facilities costs.

FORMAT OF LEAGUE?

The league is meant to be developmental with more “meaningful” games with different opponents outside their local areas and therefore will play appropriate formats in each age division as determined by a committee made up of the Technical Directors of the clubs.

ARE THERE AWARDS?

There are no awards or championships.It is purely developmental.

HOW DO I JOIN THE JDL?

You must be registered with one of the JDL Official Members.Clubs interested in joining must meet certain criteria including but not limited to:

1)History of player development and current player development guidelines

2)Development Academy/ECNL/NPL membership status

3)Quality of facilities

4)Size of club and associated Juniors program

5)Quality of coaching staff

6)Administrative capabilities

7)Club structure, vision and philosophy

8)Geographic considerations

Clubs interested in applying to join the JDL should contact a Director of one of the JDL clubs.